The Book of Love explores love, life, grief, and healing

Movie Title:   The Book of Love

Grade:  C

Rating:  PG-13, 107 minutes

In a Nutshell: Written and directed by Bill Purple, this profanity-laced story is about death, love, insanity, and healing. 

Uplifting theme

• “Try something new.  Be bold.” – Penny  (Jessica Biel)
• “We aren’t supposed to be alone in our journeys, that we need other people to know we’re alive, that we matter.” - The Girl/Oprah  (Maisie Williams)
• “We all need help.” – Henry Hershel (Jason Sudeikis) 
• Accept people for who they are.

Things I liked:

• The Justin Timberlake score was lovely.  That was nice of him to give a boost to his beautiful wife’s film.
• The cast was an interesting mix: Jason Sudeikis, Jessica Biel, Maisie Williams, Mary Steenburgen, Orlando Jones, and Paul Reiser.
• Those jumping fish in Louisiana were pretty cool and they really are real.  You've probably seen the YouTube videos of them.
• My sister's husband died young.  It was painful to watch her go through the process of saying goodbye to a loved one and trying to rebuild a new life.  While the film doesn't necessarily present any new perspectives on death and grieving, it still presents a real journey of sorrow that people can relate to. 

 Things I didn’t like:

• I like Jason Sudeikis in comedies, but he just didn’t dig deeply enough to give the emotional performance this film needed.
• The Southern accents are pretty bad, except for that funny Cajun guy, Pascal, who couldn’t even speak English played by Richard Robichaux.
• Why on earth was Oprah spoon-feeding Henry?  That was a weird scene.  By the way, Oprah Winfrey is NOT in this movie.  The young girl calls herself Oprah.
• I hate it when young kids have such terrible potty mouths.  Game of Thrones: Season 1 Maisie Williams' character was more annoying than charming.
• Henry does some pretty irresponsible things that seemed more stupid than whimsical and bold. 

Interesting lines:

• “There’s an old Japanese proverb: The wounded koi cannot tend to its gills if it seeks solace and diversion of the pleasant seaweed god.” – (Paul Reiser)
• “67% of deaths happen when no one’s looking. What I never could find out is how many people live while nobody’s watching.” – Oprah
• “Haven’t you ever wanted to do something extraordinary?” - Oprah
• “Death ain’t about the people who die anyway.  It’s about the ones who have the s**tluck of having to go on without them.” – Opray
• “Some people try to hold on to the memories.  Others try to forget.  Neither one works.  And after enough time passes by, you find you ain’t the same you used to be.” – Oprah
• “Some things are better when they’re not perfect, you know?” – Oprah
• “Every brave journey is filled with surprises.” – Oprah 

Funny lines:

• “They don’t like it.” – Henry (Jason Sudeikis)

“Worse.  They love it.” – Wendell (Paul Reiser)

• “Whoever heard of a reception without shrimp?” – Julia (Mary Steenburgen)
• “Perverts got mustaches.  Everybody knows that.” – Cornelius Thibadeaux (Orlando Jones) 

Did you know?
*  It was originally titled "The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea."
*  It had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival last April, but didn't get released in the United States until this week.

Tips for parents: 

• There are some heavy themes of death, remorse, sorrow, abuse, poverty.
• You see smoking and someone eating marijuana-laced stew.
• Lots of profanity.
• People call each other ugly names.

@trinaboice 

Mother's Day movie filled with cliches and estrogen

Movie Title:      Mother’s Day

  

Grade:   C

Rating:   PG-13, 1 hour 58 minutes

In a Nutshell:    Full of sappy clichés, but if you have estrogen, you might still cry. The movie showcases all kinds of mothers.  

Mother’s Day can be a very difficult day for many mothers and this film shows that very well.

Is director Garry Marshall going to make a Father's Day movie?  Would anyone see it?

Uplifting theme: 

• You better do something nice for your mother on Mother’s Day!  Just kidding…the film didn’t really preach that.  I’m just sayin…
• Mothers come in all forms.  Whatever shape or size, season or situation, motherhood is a sacrifice and act of love like no other.

Things I liked:

• The cast is full of big names: Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Julia Roberts, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Garner, Jon Lovitz, Britt  Robertson, and more.
• Kate Hudson is gorgeous and in amazing shape.   Have you seen her newest business venture?  She co-founded Fabletics, a lifestyle athletic wear brand and store.  One of her stores just opened up near me.  I'd buy everything in the store if it would make me look like her.
• Sandy and Bradley meet in Sprouts Farmers Market store.  Have you ever been there? 
• The movie features a cute song by Meghan Trainer appropriately entitled “Mom”.
• There are some cute outtakes during the rolling credits at the end.

Things I didn’t like:

• What town on earth has a Mother’s Day parade?
• It’s hard to feel sorry for these beautiful women with hard bodies and beautiful houses.
• Margo Martindale is always delightful, but in this movie she plays a truly insensitive, judgmental mother.
• The situations and lines are painfully contrived and predictable.

Funny lines:

•  “There’s no texting in soccer.” – Bradley (Jason Sudeikis)
• “You don’t go into marriage thinking you’ll get a divorce, but life happens, and when it does…you get more closet space.” – Sandy (Jennifer Aniston)
• “A pox on your whistle!” – Bradley's daughter
• “His eyes have cataracts.  Mine have hope.” – comedienne in bar 
• “And I put on a bra for this?” – Flo (Margo Martindale)
• “I don’t get that joke, but it sounds racist…and funny.” – Sonia (Anoush Nevart)
• “You look just like me…in the summer time.” -  Flo to her little brown grandson.

• Tips for parents:   
• 1 F-bomb.
• Most kids will be fairly bored.
• Pre-marital sex, two lesbians, some racist jokes.